Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Internet of Things (IoT)

UAV can be used for military missions “Dangerous, Dull, dirty” as there is no loss of life asset. Also, robots don’t mind circling a particular area for a dozen hours and can be operated in military and civil environments. They are also used to carry notorious missions of surveillance, security, and attack. In today’s world, the term ‘Unmanned Aerial’ has gained so much acceptance, and when these things are combined with a ground control station and a communication channel (or data link) they constitute UAS. Nowadays, UAS are cheaper to operate, procure, and maintain when compared to manned aircraft with some limitations. As they eliminate the risk of a pilot’s life while in operation and their capabilities like endurance aren’t constrained by human limitations [28]. However, in the future, they could be used for air-refueling, resupply, air combat, and search and rescue operations. The remote operation of UAS has been made more practical because of the availability of advanced navigation and satellite communication technology. The capability of UAV to loiter, search & strike the targets while minimizing the collateral damage, makes this thing an indispensable weapon. Its features are further enhanced by using multispectral thermal and night vision state of the art cameras and better remote control allows the UAS to take on more reconnaissance roles. Today’s UAV can remain on a mission for 30–40 h, far beyond the capabilities of any human crew. Research into ultra-efficient solar power and in-flight refueling could help in increasing the range of UAVs, limited primarily by maintenance needs.

Topographic surveys are important from the point of view of the study of earth surface dynamics and processes. These types of surveys are often required for huge (>11 km 2) areas at a relatively higher temporal resolution which can be used in monitoring the ecological change, hazard monitoring, or any kind of detailed process studies [6].

The geomorphic study includes the study of landforms, their classification, origin, development, and history which can be done through acquiring high-resolution topographic data which holds the key to many studies and discoveries in Earth sciences including that of earth surface processes and dynamics. For mapping, studies that require data at high temporal (hourly or daily basis), and large spatial (>10 km 2) scales, these traditional surveying methods are often time-intensive and costly. However, recent development and changes in technology have seen a rise in digital photo-grammetry as a viable means of obtaining high-resolution topographic data [6].

Such advancement in technologies and increase in affordability of UAVs makes it a novel platform for low-level aerial photography which can be done whenever needed for such photogrammetry in geomorphological studies where traditional methods like satellite imagery might not work. Moreover, it has also various applications where a similar type of work is involved like in filmmaking, scientific research, surveying, mining, cargo transport, forestry and agriculture, journalism, aerial surveillance, etc.

Farmers can use the agricultural drone to spray pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. Special cameras and sensors can be used to spot problems in the crops. Diseased parts of the crop can be spotted early. Different types of data related to the farm, crop, land, and atmospheric conditions can be collected. This data is used to ensure healthy crops and successful harvest [29].

UAVs are of significant use for various novel activities. However, when it comes to the regulation of flying small drones it becomes a challenge. There are thousands of small drones that are sold worldwide. A small drone can be built even by a novice using parts available from the internet. A small drone can also pose a high safety risk to large planes, fuel depots. Losing control by drone operators is an occasional instance. There isn’t any severe accident so far reported but there are some criminal reports in which drone is used to supply illegal and banned items into prisons or targeted area. Even the insurance aspect is not fully defined or developed. There is also the risk of privacy as drones can be used to spy over someone without his/her knowledge, look inside a home through windows, can fly high and record visible parts of the property. However, government authorities have been trying to reduce the challenges of imposing proper rules and regulations for UAV ownership and operations. Law enforcement always tries to make significant efforts to stop rogue UAVs by signal jamming as well as by attacking and capturing them [30, 31].

Following are some technological limitation for UAV which also include top-notch military drones as well as commercial drones:

Loss of Contact : If contact is lost with the ground control station, the vehicle may be lost.

Less Versatile : UAVs are designed for a specific mission and type of need. These machines are not as versatile as a modern generation multi-role combat aircraft.

Limited Range : UAVs have much higher complex machinery and light body design. Therefore, they may not be able to carry as much fuel as manned aircraft and may have a shorter range. It is a limitation that is now being overcome.

Limitations of Payload : UAVs are typically smaller except few than a manned plane, they cannot carry as much as manned aircraft, and there is also a risk of losing balance easily in case of high wind or any unavoidable circumstance in which manned aircraft are much better. However, as compared to manned aircraft, their payload to total weight is higher.

Programming Limitations : There is a high possibility that UAVs might not be able to compensate for the changing battlefield environment such as attacking a new more desirable target that appeared after the aircraft was launched or changing course to avoid enemies.

However, technological advancement is overcoming the drawbacks of UAV/UAS making it suitable for many operations, uses, and needs.

A fairly comprehensive overview is presented of various platforms of UAVs according to different classifications with a brief introduction of the latest technologies used in UAVs along with the communication and application. UAVs were being used for decades by the world’s military forces. Today, with the advancement of technology, it has become easier to produce and control drones. In today’s era, if UAVs are combined with smartphone technology then together along it will bring heavy commercialization and secure, reliable tools and features can be made.

As far as military drones are considered, certain doom-mongers are predicting a dystopia where automated ‘killer drones’ escort in the era of robotic warfare, without humans. UAVs give us both the opportunities to take advantage and bring betterment as well as challenges that are needed to confront head-on. There is a clear need for ethical and legal questioning for the increasing use of drones which must be answered satisfactorily. Debates are of crucial importance to achieve a possible accord. This will surely take time and will involve questions, sharing of experiences and views, and not wait until a technological fait accomplish make this thing obsolete [32].

The advancement of UAVs has given a clean slate for its commercialization. UAVs are already being utilized in the agricultural industry to monitor farmland, analyze soil samples, and even herd cattle. It could expand more in the future required the demand is ever increasing. UAVs are also used in search and rescue to save people from life-threatening situations and every time this technology proves its usefulness more than ever. In near future, it is of no surprise that UAVs or drone will have their application in retail, transportation, entertainment, home security, and even in construction using 3D printers. The future scope for UAVs is immense and market share is also expected in the favour of this technology.